Over the last several years, more and more companies have started to include remote work as an option for some roles. In 2020, there was a major shift to remote work as people were faced with mandatory stay-at-home orders. As things start to shift yet again, will the move toward a more remote workforce stay? The major shift to remote work was sped up significantly in 2020. However, that shift was already occurring in many industries because there are a number of big benefits to working remotely and allowing employees to do the same. The move to remote work is largely here to stay because of everything it has to offer both employers and employees.

Cost savings for employers

As employers take a look at the viability of a remote work model, they will see that it provides significant cost savings. Eliminating the need for a physical office space can save an employer thousands of dollars per month. Moving to a virtual office allows an employer to maintain a professional image for the company while significantly reducing costs. Other costs like office utilities, furnishings, and office snacks go away when an employer allows employees to work remotely.

Better work-life balance for employees

Another reason to stick with the remote work model is that it provides a better work-life balance for employees. The entire morning and evening routine for a person can be transformed with the switch to remote work. Instead of spending time on a commute, an employee can get straight to work. Or, use that commute time to drive the kids to school or get in a little more family time. The frantic pace of getting out the door in the mornings and back home in the evenings can be slowed thanks to working from home. Many people experience more satisfaction in their work when they are provided with the increased flexibility that comes with working from home.

Easier scalability for growing businesses

Using a remote model makes it easier for growing businesses to scale. For example, adding five additional employees with a traditional office model will require an employer to find a place for all five of those people. If the office space isn’t big enough then it could require moving to a bigger office. The process of moving offices is expensive and rent for a bigger space can add significantly to monthly costs. On the other hand, hiring five new people who work remotely will not require any changes to the space that is needed for a business. This makes it easier and less expensive for a business to scale and grow.

The move to remote work is here to stay for a lot of business. Technology and options like getting a virtual office make it possible to continue running a business while all or most employees work from home. You can learn more about virtual office design by visiting the 580 Executive Center blog.